Wheat allergy and listed ingredients

I've had wheat allergy for a very long time - it gives me a few symptoms but mostly intense itching and eczema. It is an IgE reaction but luckily I don't need whisking off to hospital or anything!

Recently my eczema has been in constant flare and I've not known why. I've just stopped having oat based breakfast cereal and changed to cornflakes and I seem to be getting better.

Has anyone else had trouble with contaminated or undeclared wheat content? I know I'm ok with oats as I'm ok with home made porridge etc.

Mmm

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GERD (4 years and counting)
Lifelong stuff: Food allergies/intolerance, eczema, asthma

Some cornflakes brands contain wheat, but it should be on the ingredients list.

There are other ingredients which might cause reactions. Corn syrup, molasses, corn starch ...

I can't eat Chex cereals because of molasses (contains sulfites). I can't eat any cereals with dried fruit, except cranberries.

Most cereals seem to be loaded with allergens.

Hi,yes I check ingredients carefully. I haven't had a problem until I switched from cornflakes and Mornflake oat crunch type breakfast to Jordan's. Something definitely isn't as safe as I thought it was!

MMM

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GERD (4 years and counting)
Lifelong stuff: Food allergies/intolerance, eczema, asthma

I try to stay away from the process foods as much as possible. If I were to eat corn flakes I would go organic. The normal brands of corn flakes are made with GMO corn which is made by Monsanto. Monsanto puts poison in their food so the bugs will leave it alone. The bugs will not eat the corn with poison in it and you shouldn't eat it. I eat the food created by God not by Monsanto. Try a diet of fruits and vegetables and it could help with your allergies. Eating the chemicals in process foods is not good for the body.

I looked online for ingredients in Jordan's cereals, couldn't find any corn flakes. The other cereals all contained all sorts of possible allergens - nuts, etc.

Does your cereal list any flour made from corn or other grains? The processing of corn starch is pretty nasty.

The Jordan's breakfast is oat based, as is Oatiflakes. These are the two I was having when the trouble started. I have no reactions to cornflakes or to nuts. My allergies have not really changed in over 20 years, which is why I suspect cross contamination being the trigger. Jordan's also make fruesli bars which I've eaten recently too. They don't list wheat as an ingredient, just as a "may contain".

Organic can be cross contaminated with other grains as well - growing organic oats won't guarantee no wheat at all grew in the same field!

Thanks for looking things up Alcie - tell me more about corn starch, could that have wheat in too??

Also, no, there's no flour of any sort listed I think. I'll check the labels again tomorrow!

MMM

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GERD (4 years and counting)
Lifelong stuff: Food allergies/intolerance, eczema, asthma

So the two suspect packets are:

Oatibix flakes - wholegrain oats, maltodextrin, sugar, oat bran, malted barley extract, potassium chloride and vitamins

Jordan's country crisp with flame raisins - "British whole grain cereals" (oat flakes, barley flakes, oat flour, sugar, flame raisins, veg oils (rapeseed and palm) rice flour, dessicated coconut, roasted hazelnuts and "natural flavouring". (May also contain wheat, rye, gluten and other nuts)

At face value going off the labels these are safe for me with my wheat allergy but given the now 90% improvement in my skin on cutting them out, one or both clearly isn't what it appears to be.

Thanks for your help folks.

MMM

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GERD (4 years and counting)
Lifelong stuff: Food allergies/intolerance, eczema, asthma

You are well educated in the allergy business!

For the benefit of others reading: Oats, unless listed as gluten-free, can be cross pollinated with wheat. Barley and rye often bother people with wheat allergy too.

I have an acquired wheat intolerance, but fortunately have no problem with barley or any oats. A lot of older people develop wheat intolerance or allergy, or even celiac, according to my doctor who sees a lot of oldsters. I'm itching a little today from eating a sandwich with bread yesterday.

You might try rice cereals, but read the ingredients carefully. I'm pretty much limited to Rice Krispies because most rice cereals also have nasty additives. Beware of cheap "off" brands.

Thanks. Yes I've been ok with rice cereals before but they don't fill you up at all! I seem ok now on kelloggs cornflakes and a gluten free oat crunch type thing, just as a safe supply of oat stuff.

There must be a significant level of contamination because I live with wheat eating people, including the mudmagnets themselves who spread crumbs, so I know it takes more than a few crumbs to set me off!! So the wheat in the cereal I was having must be at a higher level than what I'm usually exposed to!

MMM

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GERD (4 years and counting)
Lifelong stuff: Food allergies/intolerance, eczema, asthma

You don't have to have cereal for breakfast. A little protein will fill you up better. You could add a little protein along with a small bowl of cereal.

Do you tolerate eggs? Sausage? Peanut butter?

I feel much better if I avoid carbs in the morning. A nice over-medium-hard egg on top of some cooked spinach, onions, peppers and maybe a bit of fried potatoes is much better for energy and lasts longer.

Hi

I am allergic to egg and cow's milk also. I can cope with toast (wheat free) but anything else would be a serious challenge!

MMM

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GERD (4 years and counting)
Lifelong stuff: Food allergies/intolerance, eczema, asthma